Leak Says It's Over

Fox2 has learned that #RichRodriguez has been fired from the U of M. No replacement announced yet. Much more on #fox2news at 5.

And this has been repeated, first on 97.1, and then ESPN, SB Nation, et al., all running with the Fox lead with various amounts of filler. As of 3:30 p.m. Angelique is still mum and Rivals has this:

"TheWolverine.com has confirmed with impeccable sources that the firing (as of 3:30 p.m.) has not happened yet. Yet probably being the key word here. It is expected to happen in the next half hour, next hour, next few hours, but it has not happened yet. However, at this moment, Rodriguez has not returned to Schembechler Hall and has not informed his staff of a decision."

Is it official? No. And as of 6:12 p.m. it looks pretty certain to stay that way until tomorrow:

Michigan officials denied the reports, saying in a statement, "This is media speculation at this point. The definitive voice on this matter is Dave Brandon and he has not and will not speak publicly until a final decision has been made."

Does it still look pretty bad? Yes. Various outlets are backtracking their surety from earlier this afternoon, but most, including Doc Saturday, seem to be posting the articles prepared three days or three weeks or three years ago when this appeared imminent, and then updating the relevant newsy paragraphs as we await news from the gallows. I now know what Scotland felt like when William Wallace went to his meeting.

The team has a pre-scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. this evening that has been rescheduled to 4 p.m. tomorrow. Until then, you have exactly one rumor from an unnamed source saying he's out, and one David Brandon apparently keeping his own schedule.